Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 387 i Australasian Bus & Coach

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST bus body builder Volgren has celebrated producing its 5,000th bus out of its Dandenong, Victoria, headquarters, it was announced recently. The milestone vehicle – an Optimus low-floor route bus – was handed over to operator and long-time Volgren partner Ventura Bus Lines (Ventura) during a ceremony attended by staff from both companies. Also part of the event was the first bus ever manufactured by Volgren, the VG001, which is owned by Ventura. Volgren chief executive Thiago Deiro says this was a great achievement for the company and that seeing the two buses together demonstrated just what an emphasis the company has placed on quality over four decades. “This is a proud moment in our company’s long history. You don’t produce this many vehicles over this many years without…

CANBERRANS WILL SOON have the opportunity to take a zero-emissions trip around the city with a new Yutong E12 electric bus joining the Transport Canberra fleet, the ACT Government has announced. The Government says it is doing its bit to reduce emissions in the ACT. Investing in electric public buses is another practical step in the Government’s long-term vision to have a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city for future Canberrans, it states. In 2020 the ACT will be the first jurisdiction outside of Europe to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity, it claims. As the ‘climate change capital of Australia’ it says it can “do more and our next goal is to achieve zero net emissions for the ACT by 2045”. As it invests in these new, sustainable technologies…

ONE OF THE MOST surprising Australasian bus industry purchases has formally completed, with Denning Manufacturing Pty Ltd now officially part of the same group of companies as Custom Bus Group. It has been confirmed to ABC magazine that Denning will continue to manufacture all current models of buses and coaches from its Brisbane factory, whilst the Sydney (Custom) factory will start delivering Denning school buses on European chassis from April 2020. “It is a proud moment for the group,” said Custom Bus Group CEO Scott Dunn. “Denning has great people and is an iconic brand in Australia. As part of the acquisition all managers and staff have signed new contracts and transferred,” he affirmed. TOTAL INVESTMENT The acquisition now gives the Custom Denning Group manufacturing facilities in both Sydney and…

FOR THE THIRD consecutive year, Iveco Bus has won the modern-day global industry coveted ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year’ award – in the Inter-urban category – as announced at Busworld 2019, recently in Brussels, Belgium. After winning the Sustainable Bus of the Year 2019 title with its Crealis In-Motion-Charging ‘trolleybus’, the company retains the accolade in the inter-urban category with its Crossway Natural Power coach. After winning with the Crossway Low Entry Natural Power bus – voted ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year 2018’ – at Busworld in 2017 (the title reflects a standard of technology and innovation of the year to come), this new award recognises Iveco Bus’s position as “undisputed leader in the inter-city segment and confirms its commitment to energy transition and alternative fuels”, the company states. Unveiled…

Buses and bus travel overall might often traditionally have copped a bum rap, so just as well escapist holiday coach trips have needed to always be ahead of the game to counter that. A pleasurable and safe coach journey arguably does much to imbue a passenger’s experience with a certain finesse, embellishing the idea of ‘catching the bus’ with some much-needed hero status. Well, that’s the theory, anyway. And while not all trips can be guaranteed to go according to plan – which might purely come down to some other annoying passenger’s smelly feet, foul mouth or general aural displeasure derived from their earphones’ blaring crap music (good stuff can be handled, though – rock on!) – bus product itself must do its bit to nullify any inter-passenger angst, and…

While most people her age are busy establishing a career, Katie Cowan wears many hats – juggling motherhood, a business and the occasional bus drive. For the past two years she’s managed the family business, taking over from her father, James. She joined the company a decade ago, hosting charter tours across the country before driving buses. The business is located in Sandy Hallow, a small rural town in New South Wales known for coal mining. The company also provides school runs and has struggled obtaining drivers, but it didn’t mean Cowan sat still; she got her medium rigid licence at the age of 19. “When I was coming into more responsibility within the business, it was at the time of the mining boom and we were very stretched trying…

THE NSW GOVERNMENT has announced a three-year programme to procure metropolitan bus services for Sydney, which will involve the franchising of three State Transit-operated regions (7, 8 and 9). BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld said the announcement would result in some challenges for private operators that hold metropolitan bus contracts, though it provides a chance to reset some of the contract settings with a focus on customer outcomes and a trusting partnership. “In the lead-up to the March 2019 State Election, BusNSW advocated for a transparent program to renew metropolitan bus contracts, based on performance and value for money,” Threlkeld said. “Whilst there is international evidence that high levels of customer satisfaction and efficient costs can be achieved by negotiating performance-based contracts with operators, the NSW Government has elected to…

YARRABILBA, Queensland, played host to the launch of the state’s first fully electric urban bus route, via a South Brisbane Logan Coaches-run service, recently. Yarrabilba – a Lendlease “new generation master-planned community, which will be home to over 45,000 residents on completion”, as it explains – and bus operator Logan Coaches launched the service, marking a new era in public transport for Queensland, the organisations say. The Yutong-manufactured E12 bus was unveiled at the Yarrabilba Sales and Information Centre, providing guests with their first ride in the fully air-conditioned 40-seater, which began official duties on Saturday, November 16. Assistant general manager of Logan Coaches Robbie Harrop said: “The introduction of a state-of-the-art fully electric bus to our fleet represents an important milestone for our company and we are delighted to…

MITSUBISHI FUSO made a strong statement presenting a comprehensive line-up of connected, automated, safe and electrified trucks and buses at this year’s 46th annual Tokyo Motor Show, held Oct 24–Nov 4, the company states. With Fuso aiming to become the leading manufacturer in the Japanese market again, along with its first fuel cell concept truck – the ‘Vision F-CELL’ – the company also had on display its Good Design Award-winning new Aero Queen luxury coach and latest, safety-laden Rosa minibus. The 2019 series production model Aero Queen features the BusConnect connectivity solution while its sister series Rosa light-duty tourist bus has new safety features, the company states. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) – under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia (DTA) – showcased the Aero Queen large coach,…

AFTER NEARLY 70 YEARS, Deniliquin-based operator Purtills has sold its bus division to Victoria’s Dyson Group, both entities have jointly announced. As reported in local media, the Deniliquin Pastoral Times, it is a significant sale for the area, with Purtills’ director Neville Purtill telling assembled staff it was a transition “from one family business to another” and that Purtills itself would still operate its range of other businesses. “We have exciting times ahead, with the opening of our new museum and administration centre to take place in February, coinciding with the official opening of our newly renovated Hardinge Street roadhouse,” Neville Purtill said, who was delighted that, as part of the deal with the Dyson Group, all staff involved in the bus and coach division would be invited to transition…

AN 18-METRE articulated e-bus – and a special touring-spec minibus – spearhead Iveco Bus’ latest range, unveiled at Busworld 2019, recently. In response to the ever-emerging public transport fields of electro-mobility and on-demand bus transport, commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco has launched the Iveco Bus E-Way – essentially the non-trolleybus version of the award-winning 18-metre Crealis – plus new minibus versions of its Daily van range led by the Daily Tourys. As per the E-Way, with the transport industry’s energy transition rapidly accelerating, electro-mobility is entering a new phase as a high-volume market, explains Iveco. For this reason, the company is taking another important step to provide its customers with a complete and flexible electro-mobility offer - and unveiled the brand-new E-Way electric bus, recently, it states. HEULIEZ AND ELECTRO-MOBILITY The…

ADDING VENERABLE BUSES as a unique old-school shuttle service to the annual Brisbane Open House event has proven a huge success, according to the vehicles’ provider. On the weekend of October 12–13, the Queensland Omnibus & Coach Society (QOCS) partnered with the Brisbane Open House organisers to provide visitors with complimentary bus shuttles to help them get around the Brisbane CBD more easily – the first time these services were provided in the event’s history. This was a rare opportunity for the public to ride on the fleet of preserved Brisbane City Council buses, offering a unique experience and enchanting atmosphere for many using such buses for the first time in their lives. A total of 144 services were operated across the weekend, carrying a total of 1,300 passengers. These…

As a family owned and operated business, Cowan’s Bus Service can provide all travel needs, it says. Its fleet currently consists of a range of buses and coaches, all painted in its strikingly elegant white, red, and blue colours and furnished with all the conveniences and comforts required and expected, it says. Its coach sizes range from 24 seats up to 57 seats. It can arrange your next holiday, with options stretching from a North Queensland adventure to a tour through the lush forests and vistas of Tasmania, the company states. Or perhaps you might just need a day out on one of its day tours – and if you have a group function it is also available for private charter.…

IN REPLY to the NSW Government’s announcement that three State Transit-operated regions will be franchised, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has vowed to take the fight up to the NSW Government over job security and protection of working conditions, the organisation has announced. State secretary Richard Olsen said: “With the prospect of the NSW Government privatising State Transit, thousands of bus drivers are facing confusion and insecurity about what the future will hold for them. “We met with the Minister’s office… to convey our concerns of the effects of competitive tendering and the need for added protections of job security, and industry standards of pay, conditions and entitlements in all future contracts. “As the bus drivers’ union, the TWU will continue to take that argument and fight, if necessary, up…

THIRD TIME’S A CHARM for Queensland’s Kangaroo Bus Lines, which for three years running has claimed the top prize under the Tourism: Tours and Transfers category at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards gala dinner. Darren Webster, CEO of Kangaroo Bus Lines was thrilled with the result. “Our company culture of ‘people, pride and passion’ shapes our commitment to provide exceptional customer service and assists the development of long-lasting relationships within the community,” he said. Kangaroo Bus Lines is well known for its innovation, continuously exploring new methodologies, investing in its people and technology to improve the delivery of first-class services, it states. MORE TO COME As ABC went to press, Kangaroo Bus Lines was also preparing to attend the Moreton Bay Business Awards, as a finalist in the Customer Service…

VICTORIA’S FIRST locally built (body), fully electric bus will soon begin a Transdevrun passenger-carrying trial – until January 2021 – on one of Melbourne’s busiest routes, the State Government has announced. The bus will run on Route 246 between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill via St Kilda, before potentially being used across other inner Melbourne routes, the government confirms. As per ABC magazine’s Issue 386 (September, 2019) coverstory, Volgren in Dandenong did the body construction and fit-out for the new bus, which the government points out supports Victorian jobs and backs the local automotive industry to, develop new capability and innovation. The new zero-emission bus – a prototype built on a Chinese BYD e-bus chassis (the body can be fitted to other electric bus chassis) – is fitted with 324kWH of…

Not only has telematics become central in enabling bus fleets to stay compliant, but it also delivers many benefits that bring about broader business success. Telematics provides real-time data on specific driver behaviours such as speeding, hard braking, hard acceleration, hard turning and idling. Using this data, managers are able to pinpoint areas where bus drivers can improve their services. They can then ensure that these areas that need improvement are imminently addressed, while also encouraging awareness about the importance of safety among drivers. BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY Improving driver habits has a significant impact on fuel efficiency, as less speeding, braking and acceleration reduces fuel consumption. Smoother rides also increase safety and passenger comfort, which in the long-run signals a better service. INTEGRATE NEW DRIVERS QUICKLY Bus operators involved in…

It’s one that’s been a long time coming, this test drive of the Hino Poncho. For the past few years our paths have crossed, but nothing’s aligned at the right time. This drive is literally hot off the floor from the 2019 BusVic Expo and Maintenance Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre – straight out the door of the venue to the busy city streets. Speaking with Hino national sales manager Kevin Fielding, we asked about the Poncho’s first foray into Australia. “In Japan the Poncho has been around since 2002. We pushed for a demonstration model to gauge the reactions to it and, from the start, it has always been really good, so the next push was to bring them [here] in 2013,” Fielding said. “We brought the Poncho…

BCI DEBUTED ITS own latest 12.5-metre electric Citirider E prototype at the 2019 BusVic Expo and Maintenance Conference, held October 1-2 in Melbourne. It boasted more than 400khW in battery storage capacity, and an Australian market-leading weight that allows passenger capacity of up to 45 seated and 20 standees, it says. It weighs 12.7 tonne complete with destos, monitoring systems, air-conditioning system and other ancillaries, BCI confirms. Its new Citirider E electric bus caught more than a few casual glances at the Melbourne event, given the now ever-emerging attention to electric buses as a whole – particularly as a locally delivered and supported product option for operators. Interestingly, BCI says it has a rapport with Dutch bus builder Ebusco, whose prototype Ebusco 3.0 e-bus won the recent Busworld 2019 Innovation…

Bus and coach deliveries took a slight breather in October, landing at a final figure of 105. The bad? It marks the second lowest figure of the year, below the average of 120. The good? To put in context, it’s still another month over three figures, making it a perfect 10 so far in 2019. Volvo (45) regained top spot from fellow Swede Scania (39) at the top of the chassis table in October. By our count, the yearly race sees the former leads the latter 409 vs. 349, a fairly tight contest between the pair. Seven more makers fought it out this month, none recording more than six deliveries. The body-building sector saw a couple of challengers take away from Volgren’s usual dominance. It remained at the top but…